The Chicago Bears have gone through one actual practice and one walkthrough, and the results for two-time Pro Bowl defensive tackle Grady Jarrett have been the same. Jarrett signed with the Bears in free agency, inking a three-year, $42.7 million contract after 10 years with the Atlanta Falcons.
Jarrett has been a leader in the Bears’ locker room since his arrival, but he has missed their last two contests with a knee injury.
That same injury kept Jarrett sidelined on Thursday.
Grady Jarrett Following Unfortunate Pattern Before Bears-Saints Game
Bears DT Grady Jarrett Could Miss 3rd Straight Game
Jarrett first appeared on the injury report following the Bears’ Week 1 loss to the Minnesota Vikings on “Monday Night Football,” but he played through the issue for two more games before missing contests at the Las Vegas Raiders and Washington Commanders.
The concerning part about that is that the Bears had their bye week in between those contests.
Jarrett’s continued absence does not inspire confidence in a potential return for Week 7, even after Bears head coach Ben Johnson said last week the veteran could play without practicing.
Jarrett, 32, has 4 total tackles and 3 quarterback hits on the season. The Bears have had mixed results with him out of the lineup. They surrendered a season-high 240 rushing yards to the Raiders in Week 4 and then 124 yards to the Commanders in Week 6.
Jarrett is Pro Football Focus’ second-highest-graded run defender for the Bears D-linemen.
He ranks behind only Andrew Billings among the Bears’ front four, while Gervon Dexter Sr. has graded as the team’s best pass rusher, with Jarrett again second among the D-line.
Bears Miss Veteran Presence
The Bears are locked in with Jarett through the 2026 season. He has $13 million in guaranteed salary on the books for the 2026 campaign. The Bears are also heading for a salary cap crunch. Over The Cap projects them at $2.8 million in space for next season.
Moreover, he was among their better performers up front when on the field.
That came when the team was struggling. They allowed their two highest yardage totals of the season with Jarrett active. The Bears surrendered 511 yards to the Detroit Lions and 396 yards to the Dallas Cowboys.
However, it also came without linebacker T.J. Edwards and nickelback Kyler Gordon in the lineup. Both players returned to action in Week 6 against the Commanders. They avoided any setbacks during the contest and remain off the injury report so far in Week 7.
The Bears will travel to face the Baltimore Ravens and then the Cincinnati Bengals next.